Żółta Przełęcz is a lesser-known mountain pass tucked into the northern ridge of Skrajny Granat, appealing to climbers and those seeking quieter corners of the High Tatras. Sitting at 2028 m, it separates Żółta Turnia from Wierch pod Fajki, and although no marked hiking trail crosses it, the spot has real character.

Gullies drop away from the pass on both sides – the western one, the widest and gentlest of the couloirs descending from Skrajny Granat toward the pass, and the eastern one, leading down to Żółty Kocioł in the Pańszczyca valley, where snow can linger in the upper section well into summer. The surroundings are rugged and rocky, typical of the high-mountain zone of the High Tatras, with steep walls and rocky towers all around. The isolation and quiet make it feel like a genuine slice of alpine wilderness. In spring and early summer the snow patches in the gullies add extra charm, while in autumn the rocks take on warm, yellowish tones that likely gave the pass its name.

How to reach the viewpoint

• From Dolina Czarna Gąsienicowa (from the yellow trail) – climbing route, difficulty grade 0, about 30 min
• From Pańszczycka Przełęcz, bypassing the Fajki ridge on its western side – difficulty grade 0+, about 30 min
• From Pańszczyca (from the hiking trail) – difficulty grade 0, about 45 min

Practical information

• No marked hiking trail leads to the pass – access is only via rock climbing routes
• Climbing is permitted only from the Dolina Gąsienicowa side
• Mountaineering experience and proper equipment are required

The earliest documented tourist ascent dates back to 1895, though less certain accounts suggest the pass may have been visited decades earlier.